Archive for the 'Transport' Category

Getting around Phnom Penh is always a challenge. There’s a range of transport options, in the form of tuk tuk drivers with their distinct cry of “OK, tuk tuk”, and moto-dops who hang out on their bikes in the shade waiting for passengers. Negotiating prices and hoping your driver knows where he’s going are all … read the full post

Some forms of transport are inextricably linked with a particular place. Think yellow school buses in the United States, or a London black cab. Introduced to Phnom Penh streets in 1936, three-wheeler cyclos are recognisably Cambodian. They are still the vehicle of choice for women returning from the market with piles of groceries and older … read the full post

Cambodia and Thailand have not always been the best of neighbours. In fact, they’ve often bad-mouthed each other to the rest of the local community, had arguments over quite where each of their gardens finish, and sometimes even had dust-ups in the street. Despite, or perhaps because of, much shared cultural history, feelings run deep. … read the full post

Unless you are one of the blessed few, the time will come when you have to leave Cambodia. Chances are, you’ll be departing from Phnom Penh International Airport. As a connoisseur of departure lounges (memories of Nairobi still leave me in a cold sweat, only to be relieved by thoughts of heavenly Singapore), I’ve cast … read the full post

I’ve had the great pleasure of visiting the Phnom Penh International Airport (née Pochentong International Airport) several times recently and I’ve got loads to tell you. Whenever I head to a new city, I wonder what the airport has to offer. Because the difference between a good airport and a bad one is not trivial. … read the full post

Despite the fact that Cambodia is bursting at the seams with beautiful islands, sometimes it’s nice to hit the open road and head to one of Vietnam’s tropical islands — which, as it turns out, is just as close as Koh Rong is. There’s not a lot of information out there on how to best … read the full post

Getting from the airport into Phnom Penh is quite easy and relatively hassle free compared to some other airports. When you exit the arrivals hall, you’ll have a dozen men shouting “taxi! taxi!” at you, but feel free to ignore them, as I do. Why reward that kind of behaviour? Once outside and on the … read the full post

As of this month, there’s a direct flight to Burma from Phnom Penh with the option for VOA (visa on arrival). This is noteworthy because currently only flights on Myanmar Airways International from Cambodia and Guangzhou offer the possibility of VOA — if you’re travelling overland you’ll need to get a visa the old fashioned … read the full post

Eyes lit up in February this year when Myanmar Airways International (MAI) announced a new direct flight between Siem Reap and Rangoon, the former capital of Burma. Not only did this cut a great deal of time and hassle out of a trip from here to Burma, but the airline was also able to secure … read the full post

The cheapest and easiest way to travel around Cambodia is by bus. Flights out of Phnom Penh can be ridiculously expensive, so if you’re headed to Siem Reap or Saigon, the bus is a much more affordable alternative. Other local destinations are only accessible by bus, such as Sihanoukville and Battambang. Most of the major … read the full post